Multicolor magazine control means



Aug. 13, 1968 PI CANOL 3,396,756

MULTICOLOR MAGAZINE CONTROL MEANS Filed Nov. 25. 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1 N VENTOR.

d P/cano/ I Aug. 13, 1968 J. PICANQL MULTIGOLOR MAGAZINE CONTROL MEANS Filed Nov. 25, l96 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

J P/cano/ g 3, 1968 J. PICANOL I 3,396,756

MULTICOLOR MAGAZINE CONTROL MEANS Filed Nov. 25, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4/ P/k'ano/ INVENTOR.

Aug. 13, 1968 .1. PICANOL MULTICOLOR MAGAZINE CONTROL MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 25, 1964 INVENTOR. d- P/cono/ United States Patent 6 Claims. Cl. 139-232 The present invention is an improvement of my United States Patent No. 3,247,870.

In the multi-color looms, feeding of the changing mechanism is a very complex problem. In fact, the magazine containing pirns of various colors must release the pirns in an infinitely varying order in perfect synchronism with the shuttle box positions of the loom.

Numerous mechanisms for driving the holding members of the supply magazines have already been proposed. Among these mechanisms, one mechanism is particularly satisfactory. It comprises substantially a number of pirn holding members equal to the number of the compartments of the magazine, a driving device for each of the said holding members, a continuously reciprocating equipment in front of the said driving members, a selecting-recording device between the said driving members and the said moving equipment, a permanent connection between the said selecting-recording device and the pattern mechanism of the loorn, a driven connection between the said selecting-recording device and the said moving equipment and finally the feeler of the changing mechanism with its electrical circuit. Each of the said driving devices of the holding members comprises a driving rod, these rods being in alignment, a reed being disposed in front of the said rods and being moved step by step by the pattern mechanism of the loom, the said reed carrying selecting-recording members. The step by step movement of the said reed is effected in such manner that it covers, in every position, only one of the said rods.

This known mechanism works perfectly in the looms provided with a warp-pattern and multiplier motions. This is not so when these looms are provided with a dobby mechanism. In fact, although the drop boxes may be driven by said mechanism, provided that the two last blades of the latter are always unutilized, the color selector may not be driven directly by the pattern. Thus, it is necessary to provide an intermediate coordinating device, which is driven by the pattern together with the boxes and which drives the said selecting-recording means, while operating these movements at a suitable time of the cycle.

The present invention relates to such intermediate coordinating device providing for the precise and positive driving of the mechanism actuating the holding members of the pirn loaders and more particularly the selectingrecording device of said mechanism.

The device according to the invention comprises substantially two moving members with constant stroke to positively guide and secure the said selecting recording device in any of several characteristic positions.

According to a feature of the invention, both moving members are shifted, on one hand, about two parallel axes, one axis for each moving member and on the other hand, about a common axis perpendicular to both parallel axes.

The characteristics of the invention will be more apparent in the following description of an embodiment of the driving and coordinating device, given by way of illustration and without any limitation, with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic general view showing the position of the driving device of the selecting-recording device of the mechanism for actuating the holding members of the pirn loaders;

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FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention and it shows diagrammatically the mechanism for actuating the holding members of the pirn loaders with which it is associated;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the main elements of the mechanism for actuating the holding members, the driving device being removed;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the driving device according to the invention;

FIGURES 5 to 8 show diagrammatically the operation of the device according to the invention.

In the embodiment represented, the driving coordinating device 1 is mounted on the mechanism for actuating the holding members of multi-color magazine 3 of a multi-color loom. The coordinating device 1 is actuated by the pattern mechanism 4 in synchronism with the drop boxes 5.

The driving coordinating device 1 comprises substantially two arms 6 and 7 respectively, linked at their upper ends by axes 8 and 9 respectively on a support 10. This support 10 is mounted on an axis 11 substantially perpendicularly to the said parallel axes 8 and 9 and is carried by a bridge 12. The lower ends of the arms 6 and 7 are provided with cams 13 and 14 forming a pair of jaws. Each earn or jaw 13, 14 has a stepped profile 15 so that, when the said jaws are brought close to each other, they form four superimposed housings 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively (FIGS. 5 to 8). These housings will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The arms 6 and 7 are normally kept spaced from each other by a return spring 20, the ends of which are secured to bosses 21 and 22 provided on the upper ends of the said arms 6 and 7, the said upper ends being also pro vided with meshing toothed sectors 23.

The arms 6 and 7 may pivot toward each other under the action of a push-rod 24, actuated by a lever 25 which is actuated by a rod 26 driven through a kinematic connection by a cam integral with the picking shaft of the loom. The pushing rod 24 engages a stop surface 27 provided on the arm 7, the movement of the latter causing the movement of the arm 6 through said toothed sectors 23.

The space between the said arms 6 and 7 when in closed position is limited or adjusted by stop screws 28.

The support 10 may be angularly displaced about its axis 11 under the action of the dobby driving lever 29 and its spring 30, the horizontal changing return rod 31, the rod 32 and the lever 33 fixed to said support 10. This angular displacement of the support 10 and, accordingly, of the arms 6 and 7 is such that the latter may occupy four angular positions bringing one of the housing 16-19 to a given constant distance from the control members of the supply magazine releasing mechanism.

The mechanism 2 for controlling the holding members of the supply magazine, with which is associated the coordinating device 1 according to the invention, comprises substantially the combination of a device 34 arranged for individually actuating the pirn holding members in the various compartments of the magazine, a recording and selecting device 35, a driving device 36 acting on the said actuating device through the intermediary of the said recording and selecting device 35.

The actuating device 34 comprises a number of mechanisms equal to the number of compartments of the magazine and each of said mechanisms controls the position of the member supporting the lower pirn in each of the said compartments as well as the position of the element or the elements forming a temporary support for the following pirn when the first pirn is released to reach the changing mechanism in free fall. These supporting members of the pirns in the lower portion of each compartment of the 3 loader are-essentially variable and they are not included within the scope of this invention. Preferably, they will consist of straight moving members which may be displaced in'mutually opposite directions by the rocking levers 37, 38, 39 and 40 respectively.

Each of said rocking levers has a side arm 41, 42, 43 and 44 respectively, permanently solicited by a return spring 45, 46, 47 and 48 respectively. These springs are fastened through their upper ends to a horizontal plate 49. This plate is stationary and it is traversed through slots by rods 50, 51, 52 and 53 which are linked through their lower ends on a pivot resting on the said arms 41, 42, 43 and 44 respectively. At rest position, the said rods 50, 51, 52 and 53 are aligned in such manner that their upper free ends are all secured in the same horizontal plane. By this arrangement, each of the said rods may actuate the mechanism releasing the pirns from the corresponding compartment by a simple longitudinal movement from top to bottom produced, for instance, by a thrust stress.

The device 35 provided for recording the pirns felt empty'and for preparing the control mechanism of the compartment corresponding to the pirn provided for replacing opportunately the said pirn felt empty, comprises substantially a selecting reed 54 which is parallel to the said stationary plate 49 and which has three notches 55, 56 and 57. This selecting reed 54 is disposed above the said stationary plate 49 and it is integral with a carriage 58 which is shown partially and which may be displaced transversally step by step by the coordinating device 1 according to the invention under the control of the pattern mechanism of the loom. This construction is essentially the same as that shown in Patent No. 3,247,870. For that purpose, the said reed 54 is provided with a finger 59.

Above the said selecting reed 54 and parallel therewith, is disposed an axis 60 on which are mounted four idle needles 61, 62, 63 and 64 respectively, each of which is provided with two side arms in such manner that each of said needles is approximately cross-shaped.

Through the said reed 54, the said recording-selecting device is made integral with a first guillotine 65 which is also shown in said Patent No. 3,247,870. However, this integral arrangement is such that the said carriage 58 may slide transversely relative to the said guillotine, while being entrained by the latter when it is moved vertically. This guillotine 65 is permanently returned to its top position by a resilient means represented by the spring 66 secured, on one end, to the frame of the said guillotine and on the other hand, to a stationary lug 67, the said top position being limited by the tubular guide 68 traversed longitudinally by the rod 69, along which the said guillotine may slide.

In its center and on its front face, the crosshead 70 of the guillotine 65 has a buifer 71 and a guiding stop 72, the upper edge of which has a bevel inclined toward the upper edge of the said bufier 71. This construction is also shown in said Patent No. 3,247,870.

Finally, the driving device 36 comprises substantially a second guillotine 73 disposed above the said guillotine 65. This last guillotine is guided on the same rod 69 and it is pushed toward its top position by a resilient means represented by the spring 74. The spring 74 is hooked at its lower end around the pin which is a part of the guillotine 73. During the normal operation of the loom, the second guillotine 73 is continuously reciprocated vertically in a movement determined by a cam mounted on the picking shaft with which the said guillotine is connected, through a rod and a non-represented kinematic connection. The rods 50, 51, 52 and 53 are secured to the same level with their upper free ends.

When any pirn is felt empty by the feeler, the energizing circuit of an electro-magnet 75 is closed and this electro-magnet attracts instantaneously its armature 76 which, when moved upwardly, meets and pushes back the side arm of the corresponding needle, namely, the needle which at that moment is located in front of the armature 76, while tilting that needle. This is also shown in Patent No. 3,247,870. This needle remains in tilted position as long as the pirn felt empty is not replaced.

When the shuttle subsequently reaches the changing mechanism, after having come at rest in the box due to a change of color, the carriage 58 and the reed 54 are brought back into a position in which the tilted needle pushes back a finger 77 of the. said guillotine 73, the said finger 77 being thereby brought in the presence of the guiding stop 72 and, through the latter, into contact with the buffer 71 of the crosshead 70 of the first guillotine 65. The latter is driven downwardly together with the reed 54 which is carried by the guillotine 65. This is also described in said Patent No. 3,247,870. The latter pushes back only one of the said rods 50-53 actuating the corresponding mechanism of the pirn retaining member in the corresponding compartment of the loader.

The carriage 58 together with the reed 54 are brought into position by coordinating device 1 according to the invention as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The support 10 is moved angularly by the movement of the dobby, thereby bringing one of the housings 1619, outlined by the cams 13 and 14, into alignment with the said finger 59. Since said housings are disposed stepwise, the selected housing will actuate the said finger 59 to bring the reed 54in the required position.

The four angular positions of the support 10, such as provided in this embodiment, are represented in FIG- URES 5 to 8.

The angular movements of the support 10 are such that the said jaws 15 have continuously their selected housings at a constant distance from the reed 59, said distance being substantially equal to the length of the said finger 59, the stroke of the said cams 13 and 14 being constant.

The profile of the jaws 15 of the said cams 13 and 14 as well as the width of the finger 59 integral with the reed 54 are constructed in such manner that, in any of the four angular positions of the said support 10 about its axis 11, the said reed 54 covers only one of the said rods 50-53.

The passage of the support 10 from a position to the other about its axis 11 under the movement of said both blades of the dobby mechanism in relationship with the movement of the raising boxes, is effected with the arms 6 and 7 spaced from each other. Then, these arms are closed under the action of the push-rod 24 driven through a kinematic connection by a cam mounted on the picking shaft of the loom.

By this arrangement, a perfect synchronism is obtained between the colour selector 58 and the movement of the boxes, the selector being positively guided and rigidly secured in the required position.

It is apparent that numerous modifications may be brought to said device within the scope of the invention.

It may be adapted to any mechanism for actuating holding members of pirn loaders including a selecting device moving along an axis, and for any number of loaders.

What I claim is:

1. In a multi-color loom provided with a mechanism for actuating holding members of magazines, said mechanism comprising a movable selecting-recording device, and a driving device for the selecting-recording device, comprising two constant stroke moving members for positively guiding and securing said selecting-recording device in a number of positions.

2. In a multi-color loom according to claim 1, said loom comprising loom boxes, magazines with holding members and a dobby mechanism having blades actuating the movement of the loom boxes, and a mechanism for actuating holding members of the magazines comprising a movable selecting device, and a driving device, wherein said constant stroke moving members occupy a number of angular positions substantially equal to the number of magazines.

3. In a multi-color loom provided with a dobby mechanism, a magazine having holding members and a mechanism for actuating holding members of the magazine, of the type comprising a number of holding members equal to the number of compartments in the magazine, an actuating device being provided for each of the said holding members, a continuously reciprocating moving equipment in front of the said holding members, and a movable selecting-recording device between the said actuating members and the said moving equipment, and a driving device for the said selecting-recording device, comprising two levers, a support moving angularly about an axis parallel to the path of said selecting-recording device, said two levers pivoting at one of their ends upon said support, the other ends of said levers having jaws forming when they are brought close to each other, a plurality of stepped housings, each housing being situated in front of each of the characteristic positions of the said movable selecting-recording device, said selecting-recording device comprising a finger engaging in one of the housings of said jaws.

4. In a multi-color loom having a dobby mechanism, a driving device according to claim 3, comprising a support moving angularly in any of several positions, the number of which is equal to the number of the compartments of the magazine, said support being driven by the dobby mechanism of the loom, two arms pivotally mounted at their upper ends on said support, said ends comprising meshing toothed sectors, a return spring keeping the lower ends of the said levers spaced from each other, said lower ends having stepwise cams, said cams forming, when they are brought close to each other, a plurality of stepped housings, and a finger integral with the said selectingrecording device engaging in one of the housings of the said cams, when they are closed and another cam mounted on the picking shaft of the loom for actuating the firstmentioned cams.

5. In a mu1ti-color loom, a driving device according to claim 3, a push-rod acting on a duly conditioned surface of one of the said levers for moving said lever closer to the other lever, the other lever being entrained by the movement of the said toothed sectors, and a cam mounted on the picking shaft of the loom and driving said push-rod.

6. In a multi-color loom, a driving device according to claim 4, characterized in that the said angularly moving support is mounted on the said mechanism for actuating the holding members of the magazine.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,312,147 2/1943 Brouwer et a1 139232.3 2,363,620 11/1944 Patterson 139232.3 2,379,487 7/ 1945 Howe 139232.3

HENRY S. JAUDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MULTI-COLOR LOOM PROVIDED WITH A MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING HOLDING MEMBERS OF MAGAZINES, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A MOVABLE SELECTING-RECORDING DEVICE, AND A DRIVING DEVICE FOR THE SELECTING-RECORDING DEVICE, COMPRISING TWO CONSTANT STROKE MOVING MEMBERS FOR POSITIVELY GUIDING AND SECURING SAID SELECTING-RECORDING DEVICE IN A NUMBER OF POSITIONS. 